GILMORE v QUITTNER [2011] NSWSC 809

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: GILMORE v QUITTNER [2011] NSWSC 809 Hearing dates: 22, 23 February 2011 Decision date: 02 August 2011 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Hall J Decision: The Amended Notice of Motion seeking orders under the Limitation Act 1969 extending the limitation periods is dismissed Catchwords: LIMITATION OF ACTIONS - claim in tort - medical negligence - extension of time to join two specialist medical practitioners (the respondents) - issues as to scope of duty, breach and causation - evidence required to satisfy the "gateway" provisions under s.60E(1) and s.60I(1) of the Limitation Act - delay - applicant held knowledge of matters relevant to statutory criteria under "gateway" provisions - the "just and reasonable" test not satisfied - applicant's burden of proof re same not satisfied - not shown to have evidence available to establish elements of a cause of action in tort or for breach of duty - not shown to have a viable cause of action. Legislation Cited: Limitation Act 1969 Limitation (Amendment) Act 1990 Cases Cited: Australian Croatian Cultural & Educational Assoc 'Braca Radici' Blacktown Limited v Benkovic [1999] NSWCA 210 Brisbane South Regional Health Service v Taylor (1996) 186 CLR 541 Commissioner of Australia v Smith [2007] NSWCA 169 Commonwealth of Australia v Lewis [2007] NSWCA 127 Commonwealth of Australia v Pearce [2006] NSWCA 210 Commonwealth of Australia v Shaw [2006] NSWCA 209 (2006) 66 NSWLR 325 Conray v Scotts Refrigerated Freightways Pty Limited [2008] NSWCA 60 Drayton Coal Pty Limited v Drain (Court of Appeal, unreported 22 August 1995) Galea v Commonwealth [2008] NSWSC 44 Harris v Commercial Minerals Limited [1996] HCA 49; (1996) 186 CLR 1 Lopinto v The Central Sydney Area Health Service & Ors [2006] NSWSC 488 Martin v Abbott Australia Pty Limited (1989) 2 NSWLR 430 McLean v Sydney Water Corp [2001] NSWCA 122 PD v The Australian Red Cross Society (NSW) Division (1993) ATR 81205 Rutter v The State of NSW [2005] NSWCA 231 Schering-Plough Pty Limited v Page [2002] NSWCA 4 Sydney City Council v Zegarac (1998) 43 NSWLR 195 Williams v Minister, Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 & Anor (1994) 35 NSWLR 497 Yu v Speirs [2001] NSWCA 373 Category: Interlocutory applications Parties: Peter Hugh Walter GILMORE v Dr George Andrew QUITTNER Representation: Plaintiff: D Campbell SC/T Meakes Respondents: G Evans Plaintiff: Benjamin McInnes Lawyers Respondents: Hinde & Ginges Solicitors File Number(s): 2005/269136